How To Find a Dentist Near Me That Accepts Medicaid

Finding a dentist nearby who accepts Illinois Medicaid can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the Medicaid program or haven’t seen a dentist in a while. Illinois Medicaid does provide dental benefits for children, teenagers, and adults, but not every dental office accepts Medicaid patients. The good news is that with the right tools and a clear plan, you can locate a qualified dentist near you who participates in the Illinois Medicaid program and provides the services you need.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every reliable method to find a Medicaid dentist, how to verify coverage, what to expect from your benefits, and how to avoid common issues during the search process.

Understand Your Illinois Medicaid Dental Coverage

Before you begin your search, it helps to understand what Illinois Medicaid covers. Dental benefits may vary slightly depending on whether you are enrolled in Traditional Medicaid or a Managed Care Organization (MCO).

Adult Dental Benefits

Illinois Medicaid for adults generally covers:

• Exams and cleanings
  
  
• Fillings
  
  
• Tooth extractions
  
  
• Limited periodontal care
  
  
• Dentures (in many cases)
  
  
• Emergency dental treatment
  

Children’s Dental Benefits

Under the EPSDT requirement (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment), children receive comprehensive benefits including:

• Cleanings, exams, and fluoride
  
  
• Sealants
  
  
• X-rays
  
  
• Fillings
  
  
• Orthodontics, when medically necessary
  
  
• Emergency and restorative care
  

Knowing exactly what is covered helps you search for a dentist who provides the services your family needs.

Use the Illinois Medicaid Provider Directory

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) provides a searchable Medicaid provider directory that lists participating dentists by:

• ZIP code
  
  
• County
  
  
• Provider type
  
  
• Distance
  

You can access the directory here:
Illinois HFS Provider Search: https://www.illinois.gov/hfs

Once on the site, choose “Dental Services” and then enter your ZIP code or county. This tool is one of the most accurate ways to find active Medicaid dental providers.

Check Your Managed Care Plan’s Provider Network

Most Illinois Medicaid recipients are enrolled in a Managed Care Organization (MCO) rather than Traditional Medicaid. Each MCO has its own network of dentists.

Major Illinois Medicaid MCOs include:

• Blue Cross Community Health Plans
  
  
• Meridian Health Plan
  
  
• Molina Healthcare
  
  
• CountyCare (Cook County)
  
  
• Aetna Better Health of Illinois
  
  
• YouthCare (for DCFS youth)
  

Each plan offers an online “Find a Provider” tool. Search for dental specialists using your ZIP code.

If you don’t know which MCO you’re in, check:

• Your Medicaid enrollment letter
  
  
• Your insurance card
  
  
• Your online account at ABE.Illinois.gov
  

Once you know your plan, visit the MCO website and ensure the dentist you choose is in-network.

Call Local Dental Offices Directly

Sometimes, provider directories are outdated. That’s why calling offices directly is often the most reliable way to confirm participation.

When calling, ask:

• “Do you accept Illinois Medicaid for dental services?”
  
  
• “Do you accept my specific plan (e.g., Meridian, Molina)?”
  
  
• “Are you accepting new Medicaid patients right now?”
  

Some offices accept Medicaid for children but not adults. Ask for clarification if booking an appointment for an adult.

Use Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

Federally Qualified Health Centers offer dental services on a sliding scale and accept Illinois Medicaid. They exist in nearly every region of the state—Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Springfield, the Metro East, and rural counties.

Benefits of FQHC dental clinics include:

• Guaranteed acceptance of Medicaid
  
  
• Lower out-of-pocket costs if uncovered services are needed
  
  
• Preventive, restorative, and emergency dental care
  
  
• Multilingual staff at many locations
  
  
• Convenient locations in underserved communities
  

To find an FQHC:

HRSA Health Center Finder: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

Enter your ZIP code to get a list of nearby clinics.

Contact the Illinois Dental Society

The Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) offers resources to help connect patients with dentists. While not all listed providers accept Medicaid, many community dentists do.

Visit:
https://www.isds.org

Use their “Find a Dentist” feature, then call offices to confirm Medicaid acceptance.

Look for Dental Schools in Illinois

Dental schools and dental hygiene schools often provide low-cost care and accept Medicaid. They are an excellent option if you have trouble finding a private dentist who takes new patients.

In Illinois, the main dental teaching institutions include:

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry

Chicago, IL

UIC accepts Medicaid and offers full dental services performed by supervised students or residents at reduced fees.

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine

Alton, IL

SIU also provides comprehensive Medicaid-friendly dental care.

Because dental schools often have high demand, be prepared for longer appointment times—but receive high-quality care at much lower costs.

Ask for Referrals from Community Organizations

Medicaid-friendly dentistry is often supported through community programs. You can get referrals from:

• Local health departments
  
  
• Social service agencies
  
  
• Hospitals and clinics
  
  
• Community centers
  
  
• WIC offices
  
  
• School-based health programs
  

These organizations routinely help families navigate Medicaid dental access and can provide up-to-date information about dentists accepting new patients.

Use Online Search Tools Carefully

You can Google “dentist near me who accepts Illinois Medicaid,” but be cautious. Many results are advertisements rather than verified Medicaid providers. Always double-check coverage before scheduling.

Tips:

• Look for dentists listed on both Google and your MCO’s directory
  
  
• Read reviews to verify patient experiences
  
  
• Call to confirm Medicaid acceptance
  

Online reviews help you avoid offices with long wait times or limited appointment availability.

How To Verify a Dentist Accepts Medicaid

Before your appointment, always confirm:

• The dentist accepts Illinois Medicaid
  
  
• They accept your exact plan (Molina, Meridian, etc.)
  
  
• Which dental services are fully covered
  
  
• Whether there will be copayments
  
  
• Whether the dentist is accepting new Medicaid patients
  

Policies change frequently, so verification prevents surprise costs.

What To Bring to Your Appointment

To avoid delays, bring:

• Your Medicaid card or MCO card
  
  
• A valid state ID
  
  
• Any medical records or X-rays
  
  
• Medication list
  
  
• A parent or guardian if the patient is a minor
  

Most offices require proof of insurance at each visit.

Many Joliet general dentist offices (including ours here at Smile League) accept Medicaid — the easiest way is simply to call and ask. Alternatively, you can search for the phrase “dentist near me that accepts Medicaid” in a search engine, such as Google.

Searching the internet works better than you might expect for this. That’s because most dentists publish the fact that they accept Medicaid.

If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, check your membership card. There should be a phone number on the back that you can call to get a list of dentists in your area who accept Medicaid.

DentaQuest

DentaQuest is recommended by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for people who are enrolled in Medicare but do not have a managed care plan. DentaQuest works if you want a broad range of possible options.

Keep in mind that DentaQuest might update its interface at any time. If you need help, feel free to contact us here at Smile League or ask for advice the next time you come in for an appointment.

Searching the DentaQuest Database

There are a number of ways to access the information, but the easiest way is typically to enter “DentaQuest” on Google or navigate to DentaQuest.com and use the main website’s search wizard.

Once you have found the official website, you’re ready to start searching. Currently, if you are using a laptop or desktop computer, you should find the option to “Find A Provider” in the upper-right-hand corner of the website’s front page. If you are using a mobile device, such as a tablet or a cell phone, you will probably have to select the menu in the upper left to find this option.

You should be prompted to select the option for Medicare/Medicaid. You’ll then get a list of the different states.

Once you select Illinois, you’ll see an option to select the type of plan you have. After you select the right category, you’ll finally be able to enter your ZIP code and search for dentists who provide the types of services you need. DentaQuest is a bit of work, but there are some advantages:

• You can search by dental specialty
• Dentists can indicate whether they are accepting new patients
• Each office provides a list of plans that it accepts

Pick Up the Phone

As you can see, you need to have a lot of information at your fingertips to use DentaQuest. Additionally, once you find a list of providers, you will still need to call in order to confirm that they do accept your specific plan.

Unless you need the advanced information in DentaQuest, we would generally recommend that you just call dentists you find on online directories such as Google Maps. The benefit of this approach is that you can read reviews and contact the dentist without going through a complex search process. Of course, you can also feel free to contact us here at Smile League at 815-782-6243.